Just like your muscles, your brain needs exercise to keep it in good working order. Keeping a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep are some of the best ways to make sure your brain stays healthy. Beyond that, there are a few ways to enhance your brain power. Although results are mixed on increasing actual cognitive function (using measures such as IQ and specific brain tests), learning something new, working your memory, and reading are all great ways to work your brain to its limit![1]

Steps

Method1

Exercising Your Brain

1

Learn something new. Keep your brain stimulated and active by picking up a new habit. Practicing something new forms new neural pathways in your brain. Repeating the same action over and over strengthens these newly formed brain pathways. The more you use your brain, the better it will work. [2]

If you’re learning a new instrument, practice playing it every day. If you want to learn a new language, practice speaking with others regularly.

Start with small actions and do them repeatedly to train your brain and make it a habit.

2

Use your memory. With so much information just a quick search away, it is easy to avoid using our memory. It’s not as essential to commit things to our brain as it once was, but the practice of remembering things can improve brain function. Repetition is one of the best ways to engage your memory.[3]

Memorize a few of your closest friends’ phone numbers to exercise your memory.

3

Change your perspective. Try to think about a situation from a different viewpoint or perspective. It can be as simple as thinking about why that crazy driver cut you off this morning. It’s easy to think they’re just a reckless driver, but maybe they genuinely didn’t see you there because you were in their blind spot. This will train your brain to think differently and more creatively about various situations.[4]

This can help you explore uncomfortable ideas without getting overly emotional about it.

4

Stop multi-tasking. While you may feel like you are accomplishing more by multi-tasking, you are actually more likely to make mistakes and get frustrated when things go wrong. By not multi-tasking, you can train your brain to focus your attention on one activity at a time and do better work. Break up tasks into smaller blocks of time so that you can dedicate that time solely to what you need to accomplish.[5]

It is impossible to focus for hours at a time, so make sure you schedule breaks to regroup.

5

Read every day. Reading a thrilling book can actually enhance your cognitive function.[6] Reading also helps to develop language skills and increase attention spans.[7] Try to read a little bit every day to enjoy the brain benefits.

Pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper and get reading!

Method2

Maintaining Brain Health

1

Exercise daily. Exercising as little as 25 minutes a day can increase your brain function.[8] Exercise helps you learn faster and retain information better. Make exercise a part of your daily routine to ensure you get the brain boost from your physical activity.

Try joining a fitness group or starting an exercise routine with a friend to make it more fun.

2

Eat a healthy diet. The nutrients that you consume in your diet are important for keeping your brain healthy and functioning.[9] Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, unsaturated fats, and fiber are particularly important for your brain. Eat lots of vegetables (broccoli, kale, spinach), peanuts, berries, whole grains, and fish (salmon and tuna).[10] Drink lots of water as well to stay hydrated.

Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is absolutely essential to brain health. Some studies suggest that during sleep, your brain flushes out toxins that have accumulated during the day. It is also important for consolidating short-term memories into long-term memories.[11] Sleep deprivation has also been linked to the development of neurodegenerative disease, so it is very important to not skip sleep.

Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

4

Maintain social relationships. Interaction with friends and family can help reduce stress levels, enhance intellectual stimulation, combat depression, and potentially slow the rate of memory decline. Having a happy marriage or successful long-term relationships gives you purpose in life and is protective against neurodegenerative effects related to age.[12]

Contact friends and family on a regular basis.

Meet new people through social groups or volunteering.

Get a pet to take care of and bring joy to your life.

5

See a doctor if you experience mental decline. If you are noticing that you are frequently forgetting things or have spells of disorientation, you may have mild cognitive impairment or be in the early stages of a more serious neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s or dementia). Consult your doctor to get tested.[13]

Remember, forgetfulness can just be a sign of getting older. Unfortunately, your brain will not remain as sharp at 75 as it was at 25.

Method3

Using Brain Training Games

1

Be aware that the evidence is limited. You have likely heard news stories about how doing a Sudoku every night will help you avoid developing dementia. While this would be wonderful, the scientific results are mixed on the definitive benefits of brain training applications. While some studies have indicated improvement on certain cognitive tests, be aware that overall brain function is difficult to measure and other studies saw no improvements.[14]

Despite the lack of compelling positive evidence, the games are still fun and stimulating and won’t do you any harm.

You may not see a direct benefit, but you will have fun playing the games!

2

Play puzzle games. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, anagrams, chess, and card games can all stimulate the brain and possibly improve your problem solving ability. It’s important to find a game or puzzle that you really like to do. Just like you have to go to the gym every day, you must exercise your brain every day.[15]

Incorporate a puzzle or game into your daily routine. Maybe do a puzzle on your lunch break, when you get home from work, or in bed right before you go to sleep.

3

Use brain training applications. Many of these brain training apps say that using their product will improve your cognitive function. Remember, the scientific community is not entirely convinced, but you can still incorporate these games into a brain training routine. There are many brain game apps to choose from so pick one that seems like a good fit for you. Some of the most popular are Lumosity and CogniFit.[16]

As with the puzzles, try to set aside time each day to use these apps.

Keep in mind, some of these websites are subscription services so you may have to pay to use them.